Pelicans Dump Graham, Get Richardson's Contract From Spurs
New Orleans - As first reported by The Athletic's Shams Charania, the New Orleans Pelicans sent four second-round picks plus Devonte' Graham to the San Antonio Spurs for Josh Richardson. It is not quite the homerun, swing for the fences move some fans may have wanted but it's a prudent deal with an eye toward the future, financially speaking.
That's not to say Richardson, a defensive-minded wing, cannot help in the short term. The 6'6'' Tennessee alum averaged 11.5 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game in 42 appearances this season for the 14-41 Spurs. He is another well-seasoned veteran presence to bring into a locker room with playoff expectations.
Oct 9, 2022; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Josh Richardson (7) dribbles in against New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III (25) in the second half at the AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
The Pelicans upgraded their spacing and defense during the trade deadline frenzy. The 29-year-old is hitting on 36% of his three-point attempts overall, 36% in catch-and-shoot situations, and 40% from beyond the arc in quick actions flaring around screens. He is actually better from three-point range under pressure, making 42.9% when a defender is just a couple of feet away but only 31.4% when given 4-6 feet of open air.
Graham posted just 5.3 points, 2.2 assists, and 1.8 rebounds on 34.7% shooting from beyond the arc. He just never got comfortable in an offensive spark plug role off the bench. That stats and eye tests agree, Richardson is an upgrade on both ends of the court.
Getting to focus on defense instead of being a top-4 option on offense should help Richardson fit in. His 1.5 steals per game with the 2017-8 Heat tied for the 14th-best. Richardson’s 2.25 defensive real plus-minus ranked fourth-best among small forwards that season.
The Pelicans can expect to get more value from Richardson than the Spurs. Energy and effort should not be a problem going into a contract year with a playoff team. Richardson followed up the 2017-18 season with 1.1 steals per game and a 2.1 DRPM that ranked fifth-best among shooting guards.
Four years and 30 games of playoff experience only helps this locker room. Richardson averaged 16.8 points for the 2019-20 76ers. In 14 postseason games as a Heat rookie, he posted 6.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.3 steals/blocks per game in Eric Speolstra's rotations.
Oct 9, 2022; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Josh Richardson (7) gets tangled with New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (5) in the first half at the AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
Naji Marshall and Richardson can run the wings while Brandon Ingram rests and the Pelicans can still maintain leads. Herb Jones will have more help on the defensive end. Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum will be able to trust any kick outs to the corner three spots when Richardson awaits.
Richardson has only gotten more efficient working within an All-Star-dominated offense, as evidenced by his time with the Boston Celtics. It's a short-term upgrade with a look at luxury tax lines in the future. All it costs were some second-round picks that would likely not have room on the team considering the current core and the 10 future first-round picks controlled by the Pelicans.
New Orleans started the day with five unprotected second-round picks and one 31-45 protected through the 2029 NBA Draft. They just spent four to shed Graham's salary and get back an expiring deal that helps keep the team out of the luxury tax next season.
Reactions to what was, or wasn't, pulled off in the trade market will vary. Either way, those winds blow, when it comes to finding short-term help while shedding a longer financial obligation, this was one of the better options.
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